Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Are Delta Skymiles worth anything any more?
The ire of Delta Skymiles members continues to grow stronger and more vocal. To summarize, many loyal Delta passengers are miffed at the recent poor value of the airline's frequent flyer miles, or Skymiles. It's true that on the surface the airline claims to offer mileage redemptions for the same price as their competitors -- but when one actually goes to search for available tickets, those cheap seats are almost nowhere to be found.
The Cranky Flier sums up the problems pretty well over at his blog, where he simply states:
One can see from the rocking comment section beneath the post that there is unanimous agreement from the ranks. Want more insight? Head over to the Delta thread on Flyertalk where frustrated passengers have been venting for months.One thing I've found... is that Delta SkyMiles are really not easy to burn and when you do, they end up costing a lot more than on other airlines in terms of miles and dollars. As a loyalty program, SkyMiles is hard for me to love as a non-elite.
For Delta's part they acknowledge the difficulties with their award calendar but don't seem really interested in finding immediate solutions. Blaming IT integration issues, they hope to have things ironed out by summer.
And until then? Diversify your mileage portfolio.
RELATED: Where did all the bargain fares to Europe go?
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
GMS Mar 19th 2010 5:32PM
I gave up on Delta along time ago their program is a Farce! I use delta flights for Alaska who is much more customer orientated than Delta ever will. Most of their people maintain a attitude that does not encourage customer loyalty
Marshall Mar 19th 2010 5:53PM
Sounds like the concept of a frequen t flier mileage program that was started
by AA back in the late l970s, has lost its basic integrity of being fair. It was a gimmick
to start with. The concept has been copied man y times over and over til it has
outlived its usefulness. It would be like ordering the same plate of food every time
you go to the same restaurant 5 times a week and then expect to gain mileage points
for eating the same food over and over,hoping for some sort of an award or an upgrade?
It sounds like there has been alot over duplicating of the frequent flyer mileage plans and
clubs.
EdTravels Mar 19th 2010 5:56PM
Delta has, without notice and with a stroke of a pen, cut the value of my SkyMiles virtually in half! I am appalled. Delta sure hyped up, in words only, the supposed benefits of their program after they bought Northwest. We should all remember what they've done to loyal customers when they are looking for business again!!!
Johnsen20 Mar 19th 2010 6:39PM
Delta is definitely the worst- if you are using miles you can forget a non-stop. Everything is through Atlanta, which mean a 10 hr trip to the west coast, OR you get forced into 1st class and blow all your miles. Last year I knew I wanted out and used up my last 35M Miles for a flight from LGA to WIlmington NC, via Atlanta of course - 4 hr trip for a 90 minute flight on USAir. I am done - They are frankly just a crappy company with no idea of service or loyalty. BTW - have never had an issue getting non-stop and good flight times on Jet Blue.
pat Mar 19th 2010 6:38PM
It was easy with NWA to use your miles. You could even use half miles and half cash which was actually reasonable. Not with Delta. I was a loyal NWA flier for 20 years - even if the prices were a little higher sometimes because I would get the miles and I was actually able to use them. NO MORE. Delta is a big disappointment. Now their prices are much higher and there is really no benefit to me because it takes so many more miles to get a free flight. I will go with the lower price. I have already flown Spirit and Southwest. BOOOOOO Delta - you lost our family's travel.
Marshall Mar 19th 2010 6:50PM
Yes, I would agree with you. This big mega merger that takes over Northwest has
made alot of people mad,including the pilots and many flight attendants. Many smaller
cities and communities once served by either Delta or NWA might soon have little.
or no proper airservice at all. I has happened out here ,out west espcially. I can also
remember the massive layoffs of Delta's mechanics at some of their major hubs
like ATLANTA. A guy I was talking to a couple of years ago said his uncle was a
mechanic for Delta and had lost his job due to the airline's decision to cut back.
Delta became too big and too impersonal towards people ,based on what reports
I have been reading. The coldness and stiffness sounds like its nothing but flying
bureacracy gone bad across all front lines.
clem Mar 19th 2010 6:50PM
it is easy to forget the many bailouts for the airlines with all the to big to fail banks and insurance companies. If we would fire congress this year maybe the government would start serving and working for the people instead of global businesses. look at it this way if one of our air carriers is aloud to fail we will still have the need, the pilots will still be qualified, the aircraft air worthy, the airports aren't moving, what we would get for letting them fail is a new better business model.
that scenario goes for the banks and insurance. So folks please fire your congressman/woman, don't even think right left they all need to go, and it can't be any worst than we have now. thanks and vote
janet ryan Mar 19th 2010 7:07PM
I let my husbands miles expire with Delta. The sent a survey saying we would earn miles for it when we didn't get them they told me it didn't qualify.Also did online shopping from their website and never got any miles. I worked for American Airlines for many years in the AdvantageDept so I consider myself savvy when it comes to frequent flier miles but Delta is the worst..If people were flexible I was usually able find something for them. My advise is always call the airline directly and work with the agents, they can be very helpful especially if you are willing to work with them. The one way awards can be very helpful
John Mar 20th 2010 12:39AM
I fly Delta a lot, diamond status. I have a regular trip, can turn in 120,000 United miles fairly easily. As the story says Delta lists one for 120,000 miles also. In 5 years of turing in mileage the cheapest trip was 250,000 miles. This year in Jan. I spent some time and used their calender, not one 120,000 mile trip showed up. Having said all of that their service and customer care is top notch.
stu Mar 19th 2010 7:55PM
I'm not a big fan of Delta since their "Partnership" with KLM. I'm a Gold KLM Member and I tried to get into a Delta Lounge. I was asked to leave. Then, when I fly Delta, they have me only getting 50% of the miles that I have flown given to my Flying Blue Account. The best part was just yesterday. I flew out on a job with my rucksack and a case for work. No problem getting checked in, etc. On my return flight, no second bag, but they decide to charge me $90 for my rucksack. When I ask the gal at Baltimore why I'm being charged on the return leg, she says "You just got lucky going out". Thank God my company buys the tickets. I won't waste my money on this cartoon network.
val Mar 19th 2010 7:37PM
DELTA TOTALLY SUCKS!!! I HAVE DROPPED THEM NOT ONLY FOR THEIR HIGH FARE COSTS BUT BECUASE I COULD NEVER EVER EVEN WITH 8 MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME GET MY FREE FLIGHTS WITH OVER 150,000 MILES
db14 Mar 19th 2010 7:49PM
Used miles for first class went to lounge no longer get in unless pay another £50 bucks disgrace after all the miles collected never fly with them again DELTA
where as the fun gone out of flying as for the food yuck a cold sandwhich and a bag of chips
Want to get iphones, psp go, wii , xbox, mp3s for free!
Yes for free just have to get credits by doing some offers No need to get referrals from friends but you can this will speed it up
go to http://www.xpango.com?ref=92047213 To find out more.
jeffr57 Mar 19th 2010 7:58PM
using air miles to get free flight is hard to get the date and time you want, so i choose to use my Delta air miles to cut the price for example i found a flight to costa rica round trip for $510, so i used 30,000 miles to cut the price to $210.00 to the date and time of my choice.
flyerKls Mar 19th 2010 8:04PM
Get a grip...I have many frequent flyer miles but I keep it in perspective. This is a thank you for your business program. Name any other industry outside of the travel industry that thanks like this..free air/hotel travel AND upgrades for just doing business with them. Face it the airlines could simply take your money and give just what you have purchased..travel.
I have been shopping at Home depot, grocery storesand alike.. and non of those places have ever given more than what I have directly paid for...Food and hardware items. No upgrade or freebies there.
jeffr57 Mar 19th 2010 8:10PM
also have say i have never had a problem with delta the 4 tiomes that i have used them
J Mason Mar 19th 2010 8:23PM
Delta went from the best american airlines to the worst. After years of being a loyal customer I couldn't take it anymore and I left. Haven't flown delta in about three years now. Being in Florida it is a shame because as a frequent flyer living here delta would be a good match. I now fly Continental and I am beginning to
worry about them with recent moves they are making and planning.
Gone but haven't forgotten